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SCENES IN EUROPE 


FOR THE 

AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION 

OP 

LITTLE TARRY-AT-HOME 


BY THE REV. ISAAC TAYLOR. 

Second American Edition. 


. PHILADELPHIA: 

» '» 

PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY URIAH HUNT, 
NO. 147 , MARKET STREET. 

J. Anderson, Printer. 

1824. 




Exchange 

Brown University Library 

JAN 2 3 1939 


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tutvoUucUcm. 


PIASTERS and Misses, come draw up your chair 
Safely all here by the warm fire-side 5 
For your entertainment, a kind father’s cares 
Both knowledge and innocent pleasure provide. 

We live in England, the better for us, 

Those who have seen other countries can tell; 
Many a nation is dreadfully worse; 

None can u Old England for ever” excel. 

You shall soon know what great travellers see, 
Safe by the table all snug as you sit; 

None but a dunce will quite ignorant be, 

If at a book he can easily get. 


IV 


INTRODUCTION. 


Here you may travel o’er cold northern snow$j 
See them catch whales, or the white growling bear 
Better than do it yourselves, I suppose, 

They might catch you if they once got you there. 


Would you a rough fur-clad Russian be, 

Trampling on snows thro’ his fir-blacken’d land : 
Would you live under the Turk, nay then see 
What a long beard you must dangle in hand. 


Would you—’tis but a step over to France, 

Cry parlez-vous with a cringing Monsieur; 

Get out your fiddle then, caper and dance, 

Wear wooden shoes, and pig-tail, my dear. 

Grave see the Spanish don, long sword and cloak. 

He’s an hidalgo , a gentleman born : 

Ancestors left an estate, what a joke! 

He has not found it, so looks quite forlorn. 

Would little Missey go follow the plough, 

Over to Sweden we’ll send you a trip; 

Be Frenchman’s Madame, or Hollander’s Vrow;— 
You’d want to come back, with a hop, step and 
skip. 


INTRODUCTION. 


V 


♦ 

So be but contented, and love to be good, 

Learn all your lessons, and do as you’re bid; 

Keep from what’s vulgar, or silly, or rude, 

Be thankful for kindness, and grieve if you’re chid. 


Many a book then, to open your mind, 

If you will read, shall be readily found $ 
Books full of pictures, if you are inclined, 

All neatly printed, and lettered and bound. 

Jan. 1819. 




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SCENES IN EUROPE. 


ENGLAND. 

GOING OUT. 

1. Leaving his native home . 

SO fare thee well, Harry, the fond mother cries, 
God’s blessing preserve thee my boy; 

Let’s hope he’ll return soon, (with tears in his eyes) 
His father (half choked with his feelings) replies; 
And then, says his sister, have done with our sighs, 
We’ll give a full vent to our joys. 

Good b’ye to you all there—once more all adieu— 
Says Harry, resolved to look bold. 

So he strided away, while his feet brushed the dew; 
With his trowsers so smart, a white stripe and a blue 
His shirts in a bundle, all handsome and new; 

And his heart too as full as could hold. 


8 


ENGLAND. 


S 

/ 

For Harry loved home and his father’s fire-side; 

From a child it had been his delight. 

Round the tall elm he played, or he climbed it with 
pride; 

Dear was the white steeple seen many miles wide; 
He takes his last, look with his head half aside, 

Then sinks in the vale out of sight. 


2. Going aboard Ship. 

That is the ship, Waterman.—The good ship 
Hope, of London, Tom Bowline commander. 
D’ye see how she floats. There is not a pret¬ 
tier vessel in all the port; and there are a great 
many of them too : London looks as if it stood 
in a wood. And so good b’ye to the Tower, 
and London bridge, and the Monument, and all 
of ye good folks; I shan’t see you again for 
many a day. But then you wont for many a day 
see me either; and so we’re even. Now, my 
lads, skip up her sides, and aboard in a minute. 
Come, hand us up my great box; I must not go 
without that, you know. Huzza! here it is. 


3. Johnny Groatfs House. 

This is proverbially the most remote habita- 


ENGLAND. 


9 


lion in Scotland. But there is Johnny himself; 

what does he say ? 

•/ 

Bleak the surly north wind blows. 

4 / / 

Bringing hail, and frost, and snows; 

But I scorn his fiercest ire, 

When I rouse my heathy fire. 

Hark, the sea fowls’ ceaseless cries, 

Screaming harsh their lullabies. 

Every hole a village teems; 

Every crag a nation seems; 

Thousands skim, or rest in flocks : 

All alive the massy rocks. 

Scared, they start, wheel to and fro, 

Like a black cloud hovering low. 

Scared ?—at me!—nay take your rest, 

You have yours, and I my nest. 

Vast my prospect—through the scene 
Ocean rolls his waters green; 

Till in purple tints they dye, 

Till they meet the bending sky. 

Nought the sameness varies, save 
A cloud comes playing o’er the wave; 

Or a sail will catch the light, 

In th’ horizon, sparkling bright. 

Yet, though lonely is the spot, 

Dear his home to Johnny Groat. 


10 


ENGLAND. 


The history of the Groat Family is interesting, 
and I will therefore relate it to you. John de 
Groat , with his brothers, it is supposed originally 
came from Holland, and took up their residence 
in this remote part. In process of time the fa¬ 
mily of the Groats had increased, and there 
came to be eight different proprietors of that 
name who possessed the estate amongst them. 
These eight families, having lived peaceably for 
a number of years, established an annual meet¬ 
ing, to celebrate the day on which their ances¬ 
tors arrived on that coast. On one of these occa¬ 
sions a dispute arose respecting the privilege of 
sitting at the head of the table, and other trivial 
matters, which might probably have proved fatal 
in its consequences, had not John de Groat inter¬ 
posed : he pictured the happiness they had hi¬ 
therto enjoyed, and said, if they began to divide 
ana quarrel, their neighbours would take their 
property, and expel them from the country. He 
proposed to build a house in such a form, that 
every man should consider himself master; this 
would prevent disputes at their annual meetings. 
They separated, and in due time he built a room 
apart from the house, of an octagon shape, with 
a door and window in each of the eight sides, 
and a table in the middle of the same form. At 
the next meeting he desired each of them to en- 


ICY SEA. 


11 


ter at his own door, and sit at the head of the 
table, himself taking the seat that was left unoc¬ 
cupied ; by this contrivance any dispute with re¬ 
gard to rank was prevented, and their former 
harmony and good humour restored. 




ICY SEA. 

4. Catching Whales . 


See the floundering bulky whale, 

Giant of the polar seas. 

Who shall dare his strength assail; 

Who disturb his mighty ease ? 

Now a cataract spouting high, 

Playful, through his way is seen; 
Sparkling in the clear blue sky, 

Foaming white o’er w r aves so green. 

Sure the mark, the boatmen’s guide ; 

Stout they pull the bending oar: 

Near his blacken’d form they glide, 

Fling th’ harpoon—then spouts the gore. 


12 


ICY SEA. 


Deep beneath his blubber skin 
Fast its hold the iron keeps; 

Pained he dives, and hopes to win 
Safety in his native deeps. 

Vain the hope, the purple tide, 

Opened by the unerring dart, 

Gushes from his wounded side, 

Drains at length his fluttering heart. 

Struggling fainter, see he floats; 

Now they win th’ unwieldy prize ; 

Fast around him ply the boats;— 

With a thundering groan he dies. 

The water to the north of Europe and Iceland 
is called the Icy Sea, and is famous for Whale 
Fishery. The ships proper for this kind of com¬ 
merce are allowed to be those of a moderate 
size, and are generally stored with six months 
provision, and manned with about fifty men and 
boys. When arrived at the spot w here the w hales 
are expected, a sailor is 'Stationed at the mast 
head, and as soon as he discovers one of these 
enormous animals, the rest of the crew hoist out 
their boat, and row r to the place where he directs. 
The harpooner stands at the prow of the boat, 
with a harpoon ready for striking in his hand, to 


/ 


iev sea. 


13 


which is fastened a cord of considerable length, 
which runs over a swivel at the edge of the boat; 
as soon as he arrives within reach of the animal, 
he darts the harpoon into its sides. It is some 
moments before the creature becomes sensible of 
the wound; but as the harpoon penetrates, it 
begins to feel the most agonizing pain, and in¬ 
stantly dives, in hopes of escaping the attack of 
its foe; want of air again brings it towards the 
surface ; he is wounded again, and becoming ex¬ 
hausted, expires. The poor whale is then cut 
into pieces, and proper means adopted for ex¬ 
tracting the oil, which is brought home to Eng¬ 
land and serves to light our streets, and for many 
other purposes. 

5 . Fields of Ice . 

The more northerly we go, the colder it is; 
so that in the farther parts the whole ocean is 
covered with ice, and all the land with snow. 
There are scarcely any spots habitable. Yet 
great endeavours have been made to penetrate 
through those seas in summer time, and sail un¬ 
der the pole; and so on into the Pacific ocean, 
straight to China on one side, and Peru on the 
other. But all attempts have been in vain. The 


14 


ICY SEA. 


last were made by Lord Mulgrave; when the 
ships were frozen in for ten days, being sur¬ 
rounded on all sides with vast fields of ice, far¬ 
ther than the eye could see. The ice is from 50 
to 200 feet above water, and nine times as much 
is below water as appears above. In many 
places the winds and waves heap up these vast 
masses of ice one upon another, to the height of 
several hundred feet. When the fields of ice 
separate the cracking noise is like thunder. It 
was a joyful sound, however, to his seamen, who 
had begun to drag a vessel over the ice for miles 
in order to reach the open sea. By the wind 
changing, the ice was all gone in a few' hours, 
and the ships were set at liberty. 


6 . Iceland . 

Iceland is an island in this northern sea, and 
one of the farthest that is inhabited. Cold as 
this region is, a volcano spouting out fire is found 
there, called mount Hecla. This is on the 
southern part of the island ; it rises to the height 
of about 5000 feet. It has often sent forth 
flames, and sometimes the burning lava has co¬ 
vered and ruined great tracts of land. It is re- 


NORWAY* 


10 


markable, that while flames issue from a vast 
chasm in the mountain, the snow which covers its 
sides is not melted. At the foot of the mountain, 
and no doubt connected with the internal fire, 
there are several places, whence every now and 
then columns of boiling water are cast out; 
sometimes to the height of 60, or even 90 feet. 
There are also many lesser openings, where the 
boiling water issues with a more regular stream. 
Over these the inhabitants suspend a kettle, and 
boil their provision. 

No bellows to blow, no fuel to find, 

No fire to see, nor poker to mind; 

I yet boil my dinner, and feed all my party; 

Come taste if you doubt it, your welcome right hearty. 


NORWAY. 

7 . The Fox catching Crabs . 

Norway is a mountainous wild country, co¬ 
vered with vast forests of fir; great quantities of 
which are cut down every year, and exported, 


1G 


NORWAY. 


especially to England, where it is called dealt 
and is used in every sort of carpentry work. It 
is to the shores of Norway too, that we send in 
the proper season to purchase vast quantities of 
lobsters, which are found on the coast, in great 
shoals ; you see the boats fishing for them in the 
distance. Herrings in vast numbers too come 
from under the ice about the North Pole ; and 
dividing into separate bodies, supply the Baltic 
and Britain on both sides. And 150,000 fisher¬ 
men are maintained by the herrings, on the coast 
of Norway only. 

So you master Fox, you think you can nab 
A titbit for supper, a silly young crab. 

So you let him bite fast on the point of your tail, 
Then give him a jerk, and to catch him ne’er fail. 
Little crab thinks he catches the fox, I dare say; 

So he does, to his cost, for his life he will pay. 

I wish all the young, and the silly, and such, 

Would learn to be cautious, nor aim at too much-. 


8 . Recovering the lost Sheep. 

In a country so mountainous as Norway, there 
are many precipices among the broken rocks; 
vast water-falls roar, and tumble from the moun- 


NORWAY. 


17 


* 


tain tops into the craggy vale below. The sce¬ 
nery is of the grandest and most astonishing kind, 
such as makes the traveller stand aghast; espe¬ 
cially when he finds he must cross deep ravines 
on a single plank, tottering with his weight, and 
by its height above the roaring torrent making 
him giddy. It often happens that a sheep strays 
from the fold, and tumbles a vast way down: 
sometimes it lodges on some projecting point of 
the rock, where it has scarcely room to stand; 
when its owner discovers it, he bestrides a stifck 
fastened to a rope, and causes himself to be let 
down, at the hazard of breaking his own neck, till 
he can reach the straggler, which he fastens to 
his own cord; and then both are drawn up to¬ 
gether, to a place of safety. 

Little lambkin, silly ranger, 

Keep your pasture safe and sure ; 

Rambling only leads to danger, 

Such as you can ne’er endure. 

Friendly is the hand extended, 

Hazarding his life for thine.— 

Straying souls are thus befriended, 

By the Shepherd’s grace divine. 


18 


NORWAY. 


9 . The Whirlpool of Maelstroom. 

The waters of the ocean when the tide rises or 
falls, passing this deep hollow, whirl round and 
round with great rapidity; and with a violence 
which draws in vessels even from six miles dis¬ 
tance. If once they come within the influence 
of this eddying stream, they insensibly glide into 
the middle of it; and arc dashed to pieces against 
the rocks, without any possibility of escaping. 

* 

Hark! it is the seamen’s shriek, 

Shuddering ’mid the whirling wave, 

England’s navy were too weak 
One poor eddying bark to save. 

Ah, could mother, sisters, hear, 

As around their fire they smile ; 

Wife, or prattling children deaf, 

Who the tedious hours beguile— 

But no tidings e’er shall come ; 

Swalloweck lost, in deep Maelstroom. 





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LAPLAND. 


19 


LA PL AND. 

10 . Lapland Witch selling a Wind . 

It is something to have escaped the whirlpool, 
by keeping quite out of its reach; and to find 
one’s self on firm ground. But where are we 
now? In Lapland ! why this is not like England 
at all. How short the men are, and all clothed 
in skins; and the women too ! one can hardly tell 
one from the other. But they seem very happy. 
I should not wonder if they love their mountains, 
and their huts, and their rein-deer, as well as we 
do our green fields, and white cottages, our cows, 
and our horses, and our farm yards. Well, so 
much the better for them. 

May we go into their houses?—I suppose so, 
if we knock at the door, and behave civilly. But 
there is no door nor chimney; only this narrow 
hole for us to creep in, and the smoke to creep 
out. Well, and the inside is all lined with skins, 
warm enough; and there’s a fire in the middle, 
and places parted oft’ with skins all round, for 
several families to have each their own room. 
Jack Frost may wliisle out doors if he pleases, 
but he can hardly get his nose in here. 

But what has that old woman got? A string 


20 


LAPLAND. 


full of knots; and she tells the Captain, that it 
he unties them as she bids him, he shall have 
whatever wind he wishes for; and he is fool 
enough to believe her, and is giving her money 
for it. What a silly set all round! Well, let me 
rejoice that I have been better taught: I can 
read my Bible, and know therefore that God 
sends wind and rain, snow or sunshine, to fulfil 
his word. 

11 . Travelling with a Sledge drawn hy 

Rein-deer. 

Gee ho! a pretty pace too. Ambling and 
trotting. And so you can go thirty or forty miles 
without stopping, can you ? 

Now it seems the rein-deer serves the Lap¬ 
landers instead of horse, and cow, and sheep. 
He carries their burdens, draws their travelling 
sledges; the milk finds them in drink, and in 
cheese ; the skins make their clothes, and cover 
their tents ; the flesh is eaten; and the sinews 
make bowstrings and thread for sewing. Yet he 
lives on only a little moss, which he digs with 
his foot from under the snow. Though they 
ramble about, yet at the sound of a horn they 
will come home. 


I 


LAPLAND. 


21 



On Europe’s utmost northern point I stand, 

Where boundless spreads the ocean foaming round ; 
Beyond me to the arctic pole, no land, 

No habitation, verdure, life, is found. 

Here Desolation holds his frozen throne; 

Winter with magic wand the palace rears; 

Th’ obedient wave becomes translucent stone, 

While iicli witn icicle the work appears. 

Ye rocks all wild, and rough, of size sublime, 

Unchanged since first th ? Almighty flung ye here : 
Terrific, barren, vast, defying time 

The mind overwhelmed, appalled, recoils with fear*. 

Such need ye be, your stormy place to hold : 

Rich pasture-mould, weak barrier, soon would cease. 
Guardians of Europe! ye, like warriors bold, 

Defend the lovelier vales, which smile in peace. 

Here dash the waves like mountains rolling on, 

As if at once to sweep the rock away: 

The giant rock the effort spurns, ? tis gone, 

The roar, the eddy, and the foaming spray. 


22 


SWEDEN. 


Yet here the summer’s sun shall linger bright, 

Th’ horizon’s blazing edge skim round and round. 
One day of months conjoined, and then one night, 
Ceaseless and dreary, marks each annual bound. 

Yet here the moon her burnished lamp shall shew, 
With mimic day-light blazon night’s dull face; 
Cheer ebon darkness to a milder hue, 

And give to arctic snows a lovely grace. 

Yet here th’ Aurora through the north shall blaze, 
With streaming light to cheer the traveller’s way; 
The playful, brilliant, oscillating rays, 

Shall light up night to cheerful holiday. 


SWEDEN. 

13. Gustavus Vasa rousing the Dalecarlians. 

Sweden is one of the most northern nations of 
Europe. The gulf of Bothnia runs up it, and al¬ 
most divides it in two. From these parts issued 
a barbarian horde, who at length overran and 
subverted the Roman empire. Sweden, however, 
was little known among the nations for many 
ages. In the 14th century, about the time of our 
Richard II., Margaret reigned over Denmark, 


SWEDEN. 


23 


Norway, and Sweden. But Christian II. King 
of Denmark, in order to make himself absolute 
in Sweden, massacred all the principal nobility 
of the country, and tyrannized dreadfully over 
the people. Gustavus Vasa, a prince who es¬ 
caped his fury, hid himself as a peasant, and 
worked in the mines among the mountains of Da- 
lecarlia. At length he determined to rid his 
country of this foreign yoke, and by his courage 
and eloquence roused the peasants of the moun¬ 
tains to deliver themselves and Sweden from the 
Danish bondage. He was successful, and the 
Swedes in gratitude elected him king. 

To arms, ye brave Swedes, drive your tyrants away, 
Nor tamely submit to a foreigner’s sway. 

Don’t they rob us, insult us, and murder us all ? 

If we must die, in battle let us gloriously fail. 

Without liberty, life is a burthen—Be free, 

Every Briton huzzas! Britons love liberty. 


14. Women at Plough. 

There is something in this which an English¬ 
man does not like. How strange it would ap¬ 
pear, if our farmers sent their wives or daughters 
to plough, while they were enjoying their pipe 


/ 


24 


SWEDEN.. 


at home. This would be very cruel, and only 
to be excused by great poverty, which obliges 
all to labour for the common necessaries of life. 
Not that women ought to be idle. Idleness is a 
disgrace to any rational creature; and a great 
calamity to the rich, as Well as to the poor. 
But there are lesser labours, more suitable to 
them. The cares of the family, cooking, needle- 
work, and all the comforts of a poor man’s cot¬ 
tage, may well employ the woman; without 
sending her to plough, making her thresh the 
corn, row on the water, w'ait upon the bricklay¬ 
ers, carry burdens, and do all the drudgery most 
laborious. But so they do in Sweden. 

Look at England’s cottage maiden, 

Healthy, clean, can sew and read : 

See her bring the new-laid eggs in, 

Milk the cow, the poultry feed. 

’Neath the oak she plies her knitting, 

Whirls the wheel, or sews the patch : 

These are occupations fitting, 

These adorn her roof of thatch. 

Grown, become a wife and mother, 

Home her little kingdom is ; 

Realm of comforts, wants no other, 

She’s her husband’s, children’s bliss.. 










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RUSSIA, 


25' 


15. Punishing a cruel Boy . 

In travelling through foreign countries we 
sometimes meet with what displeases us, but 
sometimes too we find what has our hearty ap¬ 
probation. The punishing a boy, who had been 
cruel to a poor dog, cannot but rejoice us. He 
who can ill treat a dog, a cat, a horse, a donkey, 
or indeed any dumb creature, shews a bad dis¬ 
position. Such a one would torment a sister, or 
ill treat an old father, or even murder any one 
he took an ill will against, if it were not for fear 
of being hanged. Such cruel dispositions ought 
to be checked, to be punished as soon as they 
appear. 


RUSSIA. 

16. The Imperial Winter Palace at Peters - 

. burgh, 

Russia is indeed a vast empire, even that part 
of it which lies in Europe. Russia was, how¬ 
ever, very little known till the reign of Peter the 
Great, who lived at the same time with our Wll- 
3 



26 


RUSSIA. 


liam III. Peter himself was a man of great 
mind; he found himself ruler of a horde of bar¬ 
barians, and although at that time he was as ig¬ 
norant as any of them, yet he resolved to im¬ 
prove himself, in order that he might be able to 
mould and polish his empire. With this inten¬ 
tion, he laid aside his dignity, and travelled pri¬ 
vately into foreign countries, where he observed 
their laws and manners. In England, it is said, 
he worked as a shipwright in the dock-yard at 
Deptford, and imposed upon himself many pri¬ 
vations in order to attain knowledge. 

As the seat of dominion had usually been at 
Moscow, the Russians had scarcely any inter¬ 
course with other nations. He was determined 
to come nearer to the civilized world, and re¬ 
solved to build a city for the seat of this empire, 
which should have access to the sea. He there¬ 
fore founded what is now called Petersburgh, 
and obliged all his nobility to build themselves 
sumptuous palaces there, and there attend upon 
him, as there he would hold his court. Very 
rapid was the growth of this new city: all his 
successors have displayed their grandeur in it: 
and thus in the north, amid wilds, and lakes, and 
morasses, has a new and grand capital of the 
Russian empire sprung up. 

One of the grandest buildings is this Imperial 


RUSSIA. 


27 


palace, built of granite and marble ; containing 
forty rooms on a floor. A magnificent building, 
but in a heavy style of architecture. 

The actions of this great man offer a useful 
lesson to those who are idle, and continually 
thinking things too difficult, and beyond their 
understanding, which only require industry to 
attain. 


1 7. Russian Peasants and Sledges . 

The Russian peasants are very hardy, but 
rough and unpolished. Their winter dress is 
sheep’s skin, with the woolly side inwards : this 
reaches to the knee, and is bound round the waist 
by a sash. They wrap a flannel round the leg 
instead of stockings; wear a high fur cap; and 
for sandals, weave strips of the bark of a tree 
tied by strings of the same nature. 

Most of their burdens are drawn upon sledges 
which have no wheels, but slide over the snow. 
Sometimes they are drawn by a peasant, who 
thus conveys his goods to market; sometimes by 
a horse. In summer time, instead of sledges, 
they use a low carriage on four wheels, drawn 
by a horse, called from its jolting a Drojeka. 
The Russians love to drive very fast. In the 


2.8 


RUSSIA. 


busy streets of Petersburg!!, vast numbers of 
sledges are seen driving in all directions; yet 
they are so expert, that accidents seldom hap* 
pen. 


18. Market of f rozen Animals . 

The cold in the northern parts of Russia is 
far beyond our conception here in England. No¬ 
thing is more common than for the drivers, when 
sitting for hire unemployed, to be frozen to death. 

Incautious people often have the nose frozen, 
and especially the ear: in which case it is ab¬ 
solutely necessary to rub the part with snow, to 
bring the circulation on again very gently: 
should a person, instead of this, apply warm 
water, or bring the part to the fire, it would in* 
stantly mortify and drop off. Many people have 
had their faces frost bitten; the place heals with 
a scar, as if burnt with a hot iron. 

This intense cold has one advantage: animals 
slain, and properly frozen, may be conveyed 
from any distance, and preserved for months. 
These are brought to the city and a market is 
formed on the river Neva, which is frozen over 
in the beginning of January, and which lasts for 
three days. It is a curious sight. A sort of 


RUSSIA. 


29 


street is made on the river, a mile long, where 
frozen animals are exposed to sale: whole car¬ 
casses raw, of oxen, sheep, hogs, geese, fowls, 
and game of all sorts, standing upright in 
groupes and circles, or hanging in festoons. 


RUSSIA. 2. 

19. The Emperor travelling . 

The frost and snow too afford great conve¬ 
niences for travelling; very long journeys are 
thus performed with ease and expedition. Their 
carriages are sledges, which slide over the snow; 
these are warm, being well lined with felt. 
Sometimes they are drawn by rein-deer, as in 
Lapland, and sometimes by horses, as soon as 
the snow is hard enough to bear them. By con¬ 
tinual travelling from town to town, in the same 
track, a sort of road is well beaten over the 
snow, and it becomes in a few weeks smooth, 
and proper to pass over; so that the traveller 
lies at his ease, wrapped up in furs, bidding de¬ 
fiance to the cold. 

The Emperor, when he travels, has a sort of 
small house, large enough to hold a bed, a table, 

3* 


30 


RUSSIA. 


&c. so that half a dozen people may be accom¬ 
modated in it. This is drawn by a number of 
horses. If he travels in the night, they set on 
fire large heaps of wood, which are placed on the 
sides of the track, and give him light. 


20 . Ice-kills. 

Little boys who cry at the cold, and can only 
sit by the fire all day, here in England, are ready 
to think that in Russia nobody will stir out, who 
can help it, all the winter long. But going out, 
and taking hearty exercise, is much better than 
sitting by the fire, at any time: and the Russians 
go out on purpose to play. One principal mode 
of their amusement consists of their hills of ice, 
which they build on purpose; making a frame¬ 
work of timber 30 feet high, ascending at one 
end by a ladder, and sloping down at the other. 
This frame is covered with lumps of ice, squared 
neatly, and laid true like a pavement of stones. 
Over this they pour water, which soon freezes, 
and makes one compact body of ice every where. 
At the top of this is a handsome sledge, like a 
small boat, or butcher’s tray. The person gets 
into this, and is put at the edge of the slope; 
down this he slides, with such force as to carry 
























































































































































































Rils sin .3 



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RUSSIA. 


31 




him a great way on the flat ice of the river, on 
which this hill of ice is built. He then comes to 
another ice-hill, which he ascends, and slides 
down as before; and so on again, one after ano¬ 
ther. Sometimes boys will skait down these 
places on one leg, keeping their balance with 
great adroitness. 


21 . Statue of Peter the Great 

This is a grand work : the statue is of bronze, 
admirable in all its parts, cast by Mons. Falconet, 
a great statuary. It is placed on the top of a 
real rock of granite, which, after six months im¬ 
mense labour, was brought eight miles, and 
placed in Petersburgh, on purpose to receive this 
statue. 

So the great monarch Peter’s mighty mind 
Rose, and attained a towering height sublime'. 

A brutal nation by degrees refined : 

No rocky steep like this so hard to climb. 

( 

He saw what laws were wanted, and ordained; 
Brought nobles, princes, nations, from afar; 

Persuaded, punished, showed them how, and reigned 
O’er all his hordes renewed, their mighty Czar. 



32 


RUSSIA. 


RUSSIA. 3. 

/ » 

22 . Russian Bride . 

The custom among the common people in 
Russia, in respect to marriage, is for a young 
man who intends to enter into that state, to ap¬ 
ply to the parents of his intended bride for their 
consent: if gained he sends her a present, some¬ 
times of a comb, paint and patches, or any simi¬ 
lar trifles. When he is allowed to visit her, they 
exchange rings, and promise to marry on a cer¬ 
tain day. From that time until the wedding, 
the girls of her acquaintance by turns attend her, 
and lament her loss in mournful songs. On 
the morning appointed for the marriage, her 
companions take leave of her with many tears, 
and give her to the relations of her intended hus¬ 
band. They receive her and her pittance of 
fortune at the same time; which perhaps may 
consist of a bed, a table, and a picture of her fa¬ 
vourite Saint. 

Formerly the bride used to present her husband 
with a knotted whip, with which to chastise her, 
and likewise as a token of her obedience to him : 
but I hope the enlightened Alexander, who has 


RUSSIA. 


33 


visited England, and imbibed more liberal ideas, 
has banished from his country such slavish sub¬ 
mission. 


23 . The Cossack. 

The Cossacks, who were so much the terror 
of Buonaparte and his army in their retreat from 
Moscow, were originally Polish peasants, and 
served in the Ukraine as a militia against the 
Tartars. Being oppressed by their lords, they 
removed to the banks of the rivers Don and Ta- 
nais, and there established a colony. They were 
soon joined by numbers of their countrymen, and 
after reducing the city of Asoph to ashes, they 
put themselves under the protection of the Rus¬ 
sians, built Circaska on an island in the Don, 
and soon increased their possessions on both sides 
the river. They serve in war in consideration of 
enjoying their liberty. Very few of them are 
tall, but they are generally well-made, and have 
a sprightly and agreeable air. Those who have 
not seen their achievements, may for a moment 
perhaps hesitate to credit their superiority in ca¬ 
valry attacks; but what body armed with sabres 
can resist a lance projecting above six feet be¬ 
yond. the horse’s head, sustained by the firmest 






34 


RUSSIA. 


wrist, and impelled with the activity of a race¬ 
horse? It is not the first time the Cossack is 
armed with a lance, when he proceeds to war, or 
when he attains to manhood; it is the Toy of his 
Infancy , and the constant exercise of his youth; 
so that he wields it, although from fourteen to 
eighteen feet in length, with the address and free¬ 
dom that the best swordsman in Europe would 
use his weapon. 

Wild and untameable, agile and free, 

Fierce in pursuit of the enemy he: 

Nothing can stop his all-ravaging course.— 

Which do you speak of, the master or horse? 


24 . Moscow . 

While Buonaparte was emperor of the French, 
his insatiable ambition urged him to make an at¬ 
tack upon Russia. With three hundred thou¬ 
sand men he passed across Germany, and pene¬ 
trated to Moscow. Then the Russians, in order 
to prevent his settling there, set the city on fire 
in every place; so that he only entered upon 
heaps of smoking ruins. This obliged him to 
return: the snow set in, cold and hunger (as the 
whole country was devastated) destroyed his 




RUSSIA. 


35 


"V 


army. In this forlorn condition the troops of 
Russia closed round him in various quarters, 
so that with great difficulty he escaped, with 
scarcely fifty thousand of his troops. This sa¬ 
crificing of Moscow saved the whole Russian 
empire. 

Moscow was too hot to hold, 

So the French forsook it; 

But the country all so cold, 

Flesh and blood can’t brook it. 

Barren all the country round, 

For the people fled it; 

Yet were troops in thousands found, 

Well might Frenchmen dread it. 

Hot and cold were equal foes, 

What could Boney do Sir? 

Do ? why run away he chose; 

What d’ye think should you, Sir ? 

He would Russia like full well, 

Could he but have got it; 

Fighting, freezing, starving, tell, 

He indeed had not it. 



36 


TURKEY. 


TURKEY. 

25 . Constantinople. 

Now we have given a good jump and have got 
into Turkey; where the men wear long beards, 
and whiskers, and petticoats like women. Well, 
if they like it, so let them. 

But where is Constantinople ? why there, on 
the eastern edge of Europe, just where it touches 
Asia, under the Black Sea. The Roman empe¬ 
ror Constantine built a city there, and called it 
by his own name. He thought that place more 
convenient for the seat of government than Rome, 
because it was nearer the eastern provinces. By 
so doing, however, he eventually split the empire 
into two parts, the eastern, and the western, of 
which Rome was still the capital. In the eastern 
part the empire existed for many years after its 
western division was overthrown. But growing 
weak by this division, and weaker still by luxury 
and effeminate indulgence, becoming too luxu¬ 
rious to fight their own battles; the troops which 
they hired to defend the empire at last conquered 
their feeble masters: and the Turks now reign 
over provinces and cities, where once the Roman 
glory was at its height. 



























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TURKEY. 


37 


The grand Seignior is one of the titles (for 
he has many) of the Turkish Emperor. The ap.- 
propriate sign, or ornament, is the crescent, or 
new moon. He is despotic, and his will is law; 
but, as in all despotic countries, his soldiers 
really rule, and they take the liberty sometimes 
to strangle the Sultan, when he is out of favour, 
and place another prince on the throne. 

Constantinople is a very large city: many of 
the old Roman edifices remain, and many beauti¬ 
ful specimens are destroyed: as the Turks, 
though magnificent, have no taste or knowledge. 


26. The Mosque . 

When the Turks conquered the eastern Roman 
empire, they brought with them their religion; 
which regards Mahomet as the great prophet 
from God, who they say was sent to spread re¬ 
ligion by the sword. Accordingly wherever he 
came, he put every one to death, who would 
not receive him and his religion as coming from 
God. 

The buildings where these Mahomedans meet 
for prayers, are called Mosques. They are usu¬ 
ally covered with a dome, surmounted with the 
crescent, and ornamented on each side with tail 
4 


33 


TURKEY. 


towers, called minarets. In a gallery, about 
half way up the minaret, stands the Mullah, who 
is an officer appointed to call the people to 
prayers, as the Turks have a strange dislike to 
bells. 

. i 

O’er fair Arabia’s spicy plains, 

By foul Mahomet’s flag unfurled, 

Despotic Superstition reigns, 

Clanking aloft her mental chains; 

Affrighting, blinding, half the abject Eastern world. 

As spreads the mountain torrent wide, 

With dreadful desolating course; 

So bursting forth on every side, 

Urged by ambition, lust, and pride, 

The bloody prophet strides, with overwhelming force. 

So was the beauteous East despoiled 
Of nature’s gifts; of arts renowned: 

Her shady groves, her mountains wild; 

Her fanes o’erthrown, in ruins piled; 

Or cleared, to let his mosque profane the hallowed 
ground. 

Aloft the gilded crescent now 
(Where once the cross) triumphant rears. 

Blind ignorance bids her votaries bow, 

Repeat the Koran, breathe the vow, 

Or vainly pray to one, who neither sees nor hears 1 . 


39 


TURKEY. 

\ 

The Turk’s own mind example gives, 

Of what such superstition breeds; 
Debased, luxurious, proud, he lives; 
Despises knowledge, and believes 
His sword, his haram, all, he now, or ever needs. 


27. Greek Ladies. 

Turkey in Europe is the very country of the 
ancient Greeks; many descended from them, 
live intermingled among the Turks, and in de¬ 
plorable subjection to them. Their persons, and 
customs, and religion, are however very different,; 
and present an interesting spectacle to the intel¬ 
ligent traveller. 

Greek ladies are very fond of jewels, and dress 
in all their finery, even when not about to see 
company. They love to sit on a sofa, and be 
fanned by their slaves. The young ladies, when 
they meet, lay hold of each other’s ears with 
both hands, and kiss, not the lips, but the eyes. 


O! papa, do look at this, 

See how odd these ladies kiss. 
When you kiss me, I should fear 
Were you thus to pull my ear. 


40 


GREECE. 


GREECS. 

28. Athens . 

In that small southern part of Turkey, which 
is almost separated into an island, dwelt the se¬ 
veral nations of the ancient Greeks; whose po¬ 
etry, history, and deeds of arts and arms, whose 
politics, and science, exhibit to this day the most 
interesting specimen of human exertion. While 
nations who occupied large portions of the earth 
are sunk in oblivion; mind, intellect, by its won¬ 
derful energies, contrived to make this little spot 
famous throughout the civilized world. Not to 
know something of Grecian history, is to be ig¬ 
norant indeed. 

For polite learning, and for arts and arms, 
Athens rose above its neighbours. Philosophers, 
heroes, artists, men worthy of such names, whose 
works are to this day the standard of beauty and 
sublimity ; buildings which have astonished be¬ 
holders for 2500 years, and writings on every 
subject emanating from hence, spread the benign 
influence of knowledge, taste and genius, far and 
wide. Fallen as Athens is, every chip of her 
stones is valuable ; every relic of ancient mind is 
precious, to those who have knowledge and taste 


GREECE. 


41 


/ 


enough to understand wherein true Excellence 
consists. 

« 

Spirit of Athens hovering near, 

Among thine echoing ruins drear, 

Whose vast remains, in form sublime, 

Defiance scowl on mouldering Timej 
Lift thy dejected head awhile, 

Rekindle thy enchanting smile : 

Rouse long-lost feelings, and retrace 
The energies of ancient days. 

Thy dream of grandeur ; when thy soul 
Disdained the despot’s least control, 

When Liberty her bounties wild 
Shed sweet on every free born child; 

And arts, and arms, and science grew; 

And Academus’ gardens knew 
Whatever delights, exalts, refines, 

Or rouses intellect-reclines 

Thy sinking head again ?—too late 
For hope, resistless is thy fate! 


29. Thermopylae. 

Much of the animating history of Greece re¬ 
lates to their heroic resistance against the Per¬ 
sians, who attacked them repeatedly. Xerxes 
came at one time, with more than a million of 

4* 



42 


GREECE. 


men, like a flood overflowing. But his army* 
before it could reach the heart of Greece, had 
to go through a very narrow spot, called the 
Pass of Thermopylae. Here Leonidas, King of 
Sparta, with only three hundred of his men, re¬ 
sisted, and for three days defended the place, 
against that immense army. Every one lost his 
life, rather than yield. They were at last by 
treachery overcome. 

The brave will love the brave, and deep revere; 
Let Britons honour with a brother’s tear 
That King of freedom, and his Spartan band, 

Who nobly fought to save their native land. 

No lust of conquest urged them to invade, 

They fought th’ invader, and they fell betrayed. 

Should foemen fill our country with alarms, 

Think of Thermopylae, and rouse to arms. 

30. Colossus of Rhodes . 

This was a gigantic brazen statue of Apollo; 
which was made to stride across the mouth of 
the harbour: between its legs the vessels passed 
in full sail. It held in its hand a light, to guide 
mariners in the dark. It fell by an earthquake, 
224 years before Christ. The brass, when cut 
-to pieces, loaded 900 camels to take it away. 
























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ARCHIPELAGO. 


43 


It was 135 feet high, add had within side a wind¬ 
ing staircase, which led to the top. It laid in 
ruins 894 years. When the Saracens took 
Rhodes they sold it. It was esteemed one of 
the Seven Wonders of the world. 


ARCHIPELAGO. 


31 . Island of Scio , or Chios. 

Between Turkey and Asia Minor, is a large 
sea full of islands; many of which were famous 
in history. This sea has been the scene of great 
exploits, by the naval commanders among the 
Greeks, in times of war ; and the principal means 
of their intercourse with the eastern nations, in 
times of peace. 

The isle of Samos is famous for having been 
the birth place of Pythagoras, a great philoso¬ 
pher. Patmos is that to which the apostle John 
was banished, and where he saw, and wrote the 
Revelations. Paros, eminent for the whiteness 
of its marble, of which some buildings, and many 
of its finest statues, were made. 


44 


ARCHIPELAGO. 


Scio, or Chios, is one of the largest islands: 
and is still remarkable for the beamy of the 
Greek girls who inhabit it: the finest forms, from 
which the painters and statuaries of old took their 
models. They are seen employed in needle-work, 
sitting at their windows and doors. In this island, 
too, was born Homer, the prince of poets; the 
inhabitants still show an old square house, which 
they say was his. 


32 . Grecian Wedding . 

The modern Greeks have certain ceremonies 
'which take place at their marriages, remarkable 
only for f<?lly and absurdity. Numerous attend¬ 
ants, and music, are always to be found on these 
occasions. 

The bride covered with a red veil, and pro¬ 
fusely adorned, proceeds with solemn pace, sup¬ 
ported by her female friends and relations. Tile 
splendid torch of Hymen still maintains its place 
among the modern Greeks: it blazes in their 
processions, and if by any accident it should be 
extinguished, these silly people are frightened, 
and think they shall be unfortunate for the re¬ 
mainder of their lives. 


ITALY. 


4r 


33 . The Consecrated Fountain . 

The veneration for caverns, groves, and foun¬ 
tains, still remains a feature in the Grecian cha¬ 
racter; and this, although Christianity has been 
engrafted upon their old superstition. 

On festival days, they will assemble in great 
numbers to drink the waters of some certain 
spring, reported to be effectual in the cure of 
diseases, or in securing of happiness. Many 
trinkets are hung around, as testimonies of grati¬ 
tude, for benefits supposed to be so received. 


ITALY. 1. 

34 . Mount Etna . 

This burning m juntain is not in Italy properly 
so called, but in the island of Sicily; which lies 
at the foot of Italy, and apparently once joined 
it in fact, as it has done much in intimate con¬ 
nexion : it is now a principal part of the King of 
Naples’ dominions. 

It is thirty miles from the bottom of this moun- 
tain to the top. The lower part is astonishingly 


4G 


ITALY. 


fruitful, aided much by its internal warmth ; the 
middle region is woody, and all the top part is 
extremely desolate, being covered with perpetual 
snow: out of the midst of which, at the central 
point, continually issues smoke or flame. 

Very dreadful eruptions of burning lava have 
issued from hence, which has at times descended 
to the bottom of the mountain, and greatly da¬ 
maged the city of Catania, pouring in like a 
huge mass of melted iron among the houses, 
crushing and burning wherever it came. The in¬ 
ternal convulsions of the mountain occasion like¬ 
wise very violent earthquakes; which shake vari¬ 
ous parts of the island, and overthrow cities. 
Messina was greatly damaged by one a few years 
ago. 

Travellers sometimes penetrate to the top, and 
are repaid with one of the grandest and most ex¬ 
tensive prospects in the world—a sight which at 
sunrise is sublime beyond description. 


35 . Scylla. 

Where the Island of Sicily almost joins the 
continent are two remarkable places, which were 
dreadful to the mariners of former days, though 
our present skill in navigation enables us to avoid 


ITALY. 


47 


or overcome them. One of them is called Scylla ; 
it is a parcel of rocks, against which the sea roars 
tremendously, with horrid noises. The ancients 
therefore fabled Scylla as a woman, whose lower 
part was like a fish, and under water, and from 
whose waist grew a number of barking, howling 
heads of dogs, which they said made those horrid 
noises. And as many vessels were lost there, she 
was said to devour all who came near her. The 
other danger is a whirlpool, called Charybdis, 
whose eddy drew in such small vessels as were 
anciently in use. Between these the passage 
was but narrow, and the vessel which kept aloof 
from one, was very likely to get in danger of the 
other. 


36 . The Grotto del Cani . 

The lake Agnano, near Naples, is remarkable 
for a bubbling up of fetid air through it, continu¬ 
ally. This same effluvia makes its appearance in 
several natural caverns around the lake: one of 
them is called Grotto del Cani, or the Dog’s 
Grotto: because it is customary to thrust one of 
those poor animals into the vapour, in order to 
shew its effects. He soon loses all signs of life : 
they then cast him into the lake, when the waters 


48 


ITA.LY. 


recover him. A lighted candle plunged into this 
cavern is immediately extinguished, snuff and 


all. 


ITALY. 2. 

37 . 38 . 39 . Eruption of Mount Vesu vius . 

This mountain, which stands near Naples, has 
been famous, as far back as history reaches, for 
its dreadful eruptions. It always burns more or 
less, emitting smoke or flame. Many times it 
has devastated the country around. About 79 
years after the birth of Christ, it buried the beau¬ 
tiful city of Herculaneum, which has lately been 
discovered by digging. 

Vesuvius ! yes, thy steepy sides are green, 

With vine leaves gay, and purple grapes between. 

The peasant’s hut dots bright the hillock’s side; 

The peasant’s garden glows with autumn’s pride. 

Thy sinking vales, ascending still, arise, 

As if Pomona would invade the skies. 

The deep rut winds luxuriant groves among; 

The loaded car rich tribute bears along. 

Thy barefoot maidens catch the vagrant eye 
Of picturesque design or poetry. 






















































































































































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ITALY. 


49 


Thy clustering pines wave high their bushy tops, 
Crown the steep cliff, fringe the rough ravine’s slopes. 
Deep sheltering in their shades, the Zephyrs cool 
Lave their light wings in some translucent pool, 

Till evening dews invite; and yon bright sun 
Descend from his resplendent height of noon: 
Recline, still splendid on the western wave, 

And bid the full-orb’d moon, as matron grave, 

Thy groves revisit, cheer thy flagging flowers, 

Rich sweets exhale from thine exhausted bowers, 
Refresh thy fields, exhilarate, secure, 

Another day’s effulgence to endure. 

Much I admire thee, yet I would not live 
Thy groves among, for all thy groves could give. 

I should distrust thee, while that glimmering light 
Played lustrous o’er thy clefted top each night. 

I should remember what th’ historic page 
Has well recorded, of thy frantic rage. 

When from thy caves, ten thousand tathoms deep, 
Beneath the distant ocean, where they sleep 
In vast laboratories, chymic powers 
In silent preparation hatch. There lowers, 

With purpose dire, each giant Gas, yet held 
In durance feeble; by one spark impelled 
Now bursting into flame, with rumblings loud, 
Tow’rds thy wide crater jostling armies crowd, 
Conflict struggling. Heaves the solid earth 
With throes parturient, till the feuds have birth. 

Then forked lightnings flash, with vivid blaze; 

Th’ electic fury darts a thousand ways. 

5 


# 



50 


ITALY. 


Thick sulphurous clouds expand o’er all the sky. 
Darkness on noon-day scowls, with standard high 
Covering heaven’s azure vault; th’ affrighted sun 
Looks pale as ashes, red as blood the moon. 
Toss’d into upper air, thy entrails deep, 

From distant regions brought, the zenith sweep: 
Stones, metals, melted ; cinders, waters, mixed, 
Shower over realms afar; or ponderous fixed 
As lava, boiling o’er, a burning tide 
From thy cracked crater, bears its horrors wide. 

The vineyard walls a feeble barrier yields ; 

The crackling vines, the smoking, blazing fields 
Mark its slow progress. Now the peasant’s hut 
Illumes the track. The princely mansions shut 
In vain their bolted doors; around, beneath, 
Within, resistless creeps pervading death. 

The scared inhabitant escapes, to see 
His all consumed, and live in beggary. 

Or tow’rds the city hastily it flows, 

Pours o’er the walls, upsets whole streets in rows. 
Like rival deluge, seeks th’ affrighted sea; 

The green wave boils, the scalded fishes flee. 

The iron promontory cools, and keeps 
Its ill got station in the yielding deeps. 

Thus lost, for seventeen slumb’ring centuries, 
Famed Herculaneum ruined, buried, lies. 

Fresh brought to light, like jewel kept with care, 
Thy houses, prisons, streets, again laid bare, 


ITALY. 


51 


Present th* antique to curiosity 

Better than books: the things themselves we see. 

Statues, and pictures, temples, idol gods, 

The very ruts of wheels, in stone paved roads. 

See ! yes, that skeleton in fetters bound, 

Was forced to stay, while all were fleeing round. 
Sudden his glimmering light obscured, then dark, 
For ever dark, his dungeon. Did he hark 
For some intelligence, to tell him why ; 

Or wonted footsteps bringing food ! his cry 
No ear can reach ; no voice of friendly tone 
Attempts to soothe him, or could reach his own. 

Ah ! better they, the thousands who were slain, 

In one quick moment, on the sulphurous plain 
Overwhelmed, unsensed they yield their easy breath : 
lie lingering, slowly sips the dregs of death. 

But why at Roman idol gods a sneer, 

Behold a worse idolatry appear, 

When to a sapless skull men look, and pray, 

To keep th ? encroaching lava far away. 

Th’ insensate lava hears not, fears not, flows 
Hissing reproof; burns, buries, overthrows. 

The wary monks retire to other ground, 

Then ply St. Januarius, round and round. 

And when the lava stops, as stop it must, 

The silly people praise their Saint, and trust. 
Forgetting God, whose mercy saves alone, 

They trust a man, a dead man’s rotten bone. 

May God forgive the stupid, wicked deed, 

Send them the Bible there, and bid them read. 


ITALY. 


52 

The papists pretend, they have the head of a 
man they call Saint Januarius, which can stop 
the burning lava. The\^ do not choose to stand 
too long to try ; but retire, and retire again ; till 
the lava cools enough to stop of itself; then they 
say their Saint has done it; and the poor people, 
who cannot read, believe them. 


ITALY. 3. 

40 . Finding Romulus and Remus. 

From what small beginnings do great things 
sometimes arise. Rome, that grand city, that 
vast empire; whose wars, and manners, and arts, 
and writers, have filled the pages of history for 
ages, once did not exist; but owed its tiny be¬ 
ginning to a tiny little boy. It is said, that a 
shepherd discovered a wolf suckling a couple of 
young children; he was much surprised, and 
took the babes home to his wife. The two boys 
grew; one was called Romulus, and the other 
Remus. When come to manhood, they evinced 
a noble spirit, distinguished themselves among 
their neighbours in hunting the wild beasts, which 


ITALY. 


53 


destroyed their flocks; and thus became leaders 
in such enterprises. From destroying beasts, 
they rose to resisting robbers ; and being clever, 
bold, and successful, many young men joined 
them. They at last built a town, and invited 
inhabitants. The brothers both wished to rule: 
a quarrel about the place for the city ended in 
the death of Remus. Romulus therefore became 
sole king, and from him the new city was called 
Rome. 

O ! dear mamma, I wish I was a King, 

How I should like to sit upon a throne. 

It would be such a wondrous clever thing 
To rule, and have a city of my own. 

That you may do, my boy, and shed no blood, 

Nor quarrel with your neighbours for the thing. 
Rule your own self, govern your life, be good 5 
That is your kingdom, then yourself a King. 


41 . Modern Rome . 

Romulus would not know his own city, were 
he to rise from the grave and behold it. At first 
it was only a parcel of huts : it rose in time to 
be full of grand buildings; temples to the gods, 
theatres, baths and palaces. These are chiefly 
mouldering to ruins. Pagan Rome is gone; but 

5* 


54 


ITALY. 


a power as domineering has by degrees risen in 
this imperial city. The bishop of Rome, or 
Pope, as he is called, claiming spiritual rule 
over the hearts, and lives, and consciences of 
men. This has been exercised in a manner most 
dreadful; by shutting out men from the Scrip¬ 
tures, by turning men’s attention from Jesus 
Christ the only Saviour, to saints, and angels, 
and bishops, and priests, and beads, and cruci¬ 
fixes, and wafers : and especially by persecuting 
to death all who would not submit to such ab¬ 
surdities. 

Rome is still a large city. It has in it many 
churches, and other grand buildings. St. Peter’s 
church stands eminent, like our St. Paubs at 
London. 


42 . The Coliseum . 

This is one of the finest remains of the archi¬ 
tecture of ancient Rome. It is a vast oval am¬ 
phitheatre, built to accommodate the Roman 
people, with the shows of which they were so 
fond. Twelve thousand Jewish captives were 
employed by Vespasian in building it. In the 
middle was a large open area, where battles of 
men and wild beasts took place, to amuse the 













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ITALY. 


55 


f/ 


brutal people. Seats are all around it, rising 
one above another to the top. It would seat 
87,000, and 20,000 more could stand in it. 

Where are the myriads, who thy crowded side 
Studded with heads, successive ages’ pride ?— 
Monarchs and common men, and beauties fair, 

Bodies, and souls:—religion, tell me where ! 


ITALY. 4. 

43. The Arch of Titus. 

Titus was a Roman emperor, who commanded 
the armies which besieged the rebellious Jew's, 
and finally destroyed the city of Jerusalem. He 
brought the spoils of the Temple to Rome, and 
to perpetuate his victory, this arch was built; 
on the inside of which w as sculptured the instru¬ 
ments of Jewish worship, as borne before him in 
his triumphant entry into Rome. It still remains, 
though in decay. 

Ah ! poor Jerusalem, of cities queen, 

When once thine one Jehovah sheltered thee; 

Where white-robed priests, in holy portals seen, " ‘ 
Thine offerings slew, in grand solemnity. 


56 


ITALY. 


What ails thee now, demolished, captive led, 
Thy sons dispersed abroad all under heaven 5 
Yet still preserved distinct, more easy made 
A mark, to scorn and foul oppression given. 

Ill-fated tribes, who with one voice refuse 
God’s own Messiah, dying to redeem : 

As Prince exalted now, his power he shews; 
He can destroy the souls that spurn at him. 

But he has power to save, and well can bring 
His promise of restoring love to bear: 
Beneath this trophied arch, ye then may sing 
Worship more pure, and liberty more fair. 


44. The leaning Tower at Pisa . 

Pisa is an ancient, large, and handsome city 
of Etruria. The town is situated on the river 
Arno, ten miles distant from the sea, and in a 
very fertile plain. The river runs through Pisa, 
and over it are three bridges: the middle one is 
constructed of marble. The cathedral is a mag¬ 
nificent structure : the doors are of bronze, said 
to be brought from Jerusalem. On the right 
side of the choir is the leaning tower, which 
people shew as a curiosity: it consists of seven 
stories in all, 138 feet in height, and leans on 


ITALY. 


57 


one side fifteen feet, and although there is no 
danger of its falling, yet the appearance is so 
frightful as to prevent most persons from going 
near it. The Pisans were formerly a free and 
commercial people : they maintained a long and 
severe war against the Florentines, who at last 
subdued them. 


45. Venice. 

Venice is remarkable, as being a city in the 
sea. It is built on a cluster of 72 islands. There 
is scarcely a street in it. Here and there we find 
a little broad place or scptare; but all the inter¬ 
course is by boats, which they call gondolas. 
There are nearly 500 bridges ; one called the 
Rialto , is a very fine one ; it is covered over, and 
forms a sort of exchange, where the merchants 
meet. 

Venice arose first from a few persons settling 
on one of those swampy islands, taking refuge 
there from the wars which desolated Italy. They 
were of necessity obliged to fish for their suste¬ 
nance, and to become mariners. Their safety 
brought many to join them. Their boats a.id 
shipping became more and more important. 


5S 


SWITZERLAND. 


They traded; trade brings money, and money is 
power. So that at last they became formidable, 
kept several States in awe, obtained some footing 
on the neighbouring coast, and at one time ruled 
the Mediterranean Sea. 

The convulsions of Europe have reduced Ve¬ 
nice; it is now only a city, belonging to the 
Emperor of Austria. 

Yes, industry and care make riches flow; 

Would you be rich, then try, and you may grow. 

But riches lead to luxury and pride, 

And plunge in vices, like a whelming tide. 

Venice from nothing into splendour rose: 

Her Carnival the evil issue shows. 


SWITZERLAND, 

46. Swiss Peasants. 

Switzerland consists of a cluster of mountains, 
called the Alps; some of them very high, cover¬ 
ing the north of Italy, towards Germany and 
France. Mountains of course have valleys be¬ 
tween them. These valleys afford rich produce 
to,,cultivation ; and these mountains give pasture 
to cattle in time of peace, and, what is perhaps 


SWITZERLAND. 


59 


move important, afford to the inhabitants shelter 
and fastnesses for defence, in time of war: which 
has made it impossible to subdue them. All 
people inhabiting mountains are more or less free, 
on this account. Less liable to be disturbed, they 
have a noble simplicity of character. Peace, 
and rural competence, with the frankness which 
liberty and independence give, mark the Swiss ; 
and form a charm which greatly interests the 
strangers who visit them. 

Rural scenery, and natural pleasures, usually 
have powerful and lasting influence on the heart. 
The Swiss are so much attached to their native 
country, that a certain song, called Ranz des 
V'aches, sung by the cow-herds, affects them so 
when in a foreign land, that they must return 
home or pine away and die. It is thus: 


Oh, when shall I return to stay 
With all I love, now far away ! 

Our brooks so clear, 

Our hamlets dear, 

Our cots so nigh, 

Our mountains high; 

And sweeter still than mount or dell, 


The ever gentle Isabel. 

Beneath the elm, in verdant mead, 
Dance to the shepherd’s rural reed. 



60 


SWITZERLAND. 


Oh, when shall I return to stay 
With all I love, now far away ! 

My father, mother, Pll caress; 

My sister, brother, fondly press: 
While lambkins play, 

And cattle stray, 

And smiles my lovely shepherdess. 


47. William Tell . 

Switzerland had been held as part of the Em¬ 
peror’s dominions; but his Governors treating; 
the Switzers with cruel oppression, it occasioned 
at last a revolt; and they delivered themselves 
from the German yoke. It was during their op¬ 
pression, that Gresler their Governor, in his wan¬ 
tonness of tyranny, set his hat upon a pole, and 
commanded every one who passed it to bow, as 
if himself was there. William Tell disdained 
such crouching, and was condemned to shoot with 
his bow at an apple placed on the head of his own 
son: he split the apple, without injuring his child. 
Being asked how he came to have two arrows, 
he bluntly answered—if the first had hit my st3n, 
the second should have found your heart. He 
was imprisoned for this, but escaped, and with 
a few others, formed a plan for delivering his 
country, which succeeded. 
















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HUNGARY. 


61 


48. The Avalanche, or Mountain Snowball. 

The tops of the Alpine mountains are con¬ 
stantly covered with snow. It sometimes hap¬ 
pens that a portion of this frozen snow becomes 
loosened, and comes rolling down from a great 
height. It gathers in its course; and becomes 
at last so large, as to cover and destroy houses, 
or even a whole village. 

Some of the valleys are full of ice; which is 
never wholly melted. These are called glaciers; 
and have the appearance of solid waves, as if a 
stormy sea had been suddenly frozen. 


HUNGARY. 

49. Hungarians . 

Hungary is a distinct kingdom, governed by 
the Emperor of Austria. The people are con¬ 
siderably distinct also, having dress, manners, 
and customs, unlike other nations. They are a 
hardy race; warlike, generous, and noble in their 
attachment to their princes, though greatly jea¬ 
lous of their liberties. The men shave their 
6 


62 


HUNGARY. 


beards, but leave their whiskers. Their weapons 
are a pole-axe, and a broad sword, besides fire¬ 
arms. They wear a cloak, which fastens so as to 
leave their right hand at liberty. 

50. Gipsies. 

The gipsies are a wonderful people, said to 
have their name as coming out of Egypt, but 
there is reason to think their origin should be 
carried farther eastward, even to India. These 
people are found in every country in Europe; a 
wandering, houseless tribe, who have no settled 
abode, nor form of religion, nor mode of subsis¬ 
tence, nor connexion with the people among 
whom they dwell. 

Though they are found in England, and in all 
parts of Europe, yet they abound especially in 
Hungary. 


51. Bridge of Boats. 

The Danube is a noble river, running through 
Hungary. Across it the Romans once built a 
bridge, thought to be the grandest in the world. 
That is in ruins; but there is one now in use, 
composed of boats, which rise and fall with the 
water. It is almost half a mile long. 


AUSTRIA. 


63 


Stillly like a bridge of stone, 

Many stem the torrent’s roar ; 

Till in tempest overthrown 

They can stand the shock no more. 

Tis wise, like bridge of boats, to rise and fall: 
Oft yielding something, safety gives to all. 


AUSTRIA. 

52. The Postillion. 

The Austrian dominions spread all across the 
southern parts of Germany, as the Prussian mo¬ 
nopolize the North. 

Now you must not be in a hurry, for a Ger¬ 
man postillion is, to a proverb, the slowest and 
most tiresome animal in the world. You may 
hurry yourself, but you cannot hurry him. His 
yellow jacket, with black cuds and cape, mark 
him as belonging to Government. His carriage 
is a heavy thing, and very filthy, and his horses 
are poor. He is no servant of the public, but 
of the postmaster; he cares nothing for the tra¬ 
vellers, or for their concerns. They cannot help 
themselves, by going to another inn. If you 
threaten him, he cares not; if you coax him, lie 


64 


AUSTRIA, 


stirs not off his usual pace. If you promise him 
drink money , he cries yaw, yaw ; and smokes his 
pipe, if the day is ever so hot, or if every whiff 
dies full in your face. 


53. The Prater . 

This is a forest in the neighbourhood of Vi¬ 
enna, ornamented curiously, and filled full of 
houses of entertainment, of every sort; in the 
different styles of England, Turkey, Italy, and 
China. Rope-dancers, dealers in toys, and in 
every species of amusement, make it one con¬ 
tinual fair throughout. Shady walks invite par¬ 
ties ; splendid carriages fill all the roads; so that 
the whole seems like an enchanted forest. 

Let me wander, let me rove, 

Through this charming lively grove; 

Plunge into its deepest shades, 

Bound along its verdant glades, 

Rest me ? neath the shady tree, 

Its bent root a seat for me. 

Solitary let me muse 
On the ever-varying views; 

Or by mingling in the crowd 
Find ’tis folly to be proud, 

When the titled Count, and Peer, 

Jostle with the vulgar here. 


r 


AUSTRIA. 


65 


Bring the music, let it wind 
Softly while the fearful hind 
Listens, greedy of delight, 

Nearer draws, till all in sight 
Comes she, takes her frolic stand,, 

Boldly feeding from the hand. 

See the glimmering sun declines, 

'Tween the boughs a red beam shines ? 

Now he splendid sinks, and seems 
To fire the Danube with his beams. 

Let the moon-beam lightly play, 

Tipping every leafy spray. 

Now no longer careless roam; 

Sweet her light to guide us home. 

In the Prater’s varied way, 

Thus I spend a holiday. 

But a life so ?—no, I scorn; 

I for nobler ends was born. 

Satisfaction can’t be found 
Thus, in pleasure’s ceaseless round. 

54. Vienna . 

As the Emperor of Austria is the greatest 
Prince in Germany, and Vienna is his residence, 
this gives the city a pre-eminence, and it ranks 
as the capital of the empire. 

6 * 


66 


POLAND. 


It is not very large, being confined by strong 
fortifications; and as no buildings outside the city 
can be placed near these, there is a broad space 
between the city and suburbs, which renders the 
whole both beautiful and healthy. 

It stands where the river Vien joins the broad 
Danube. The streets are very narrow. The 
second floor in every house belongs to the Em¬ 
peror; in which therefore he places some officer, 
unless the citizens, at a high price, purchase an 
exemption from such inmates. Iron bars are put « 
to all the windows; which gives to every house 
the appearance of a prison. There are many 
grand buildings, and noble institutions; the Em¬ 
perors omitting nothing which can give impor¬ 
tance to their principal city. 


P 


OL AND. 


55. Polish Gentlemen.—City of Cracow. 

Poor Poland! it was once a country, and had 
a government, and a King, of its own; but three 
of its great neighbours thought they should like 
it for themselves: so they agreed together, and 
















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POLAND. 


67 


look each a share. Who was to help the poor 
people? It cost a great deal of fighting and 
bloodshed; but what do kings and emperors care 
for that ? Well I had rather have a little honestly 
gotten, than a kingdom so. 

Yet it is a pity, for they seem to be a worthy 
people. Their nobles indeed love a great deal of 
pomp, and the common people are all vassals, 
slaves to their lords. So that I should not much 
like to live there; I had rather be in England. 

The poles shave their heads, all but a tuft on 
the crown, and wear great whiskers. A fur cap, 
a long vest, with a gown, or a short cloak, over 
it, give them a noble appearance—that is, the 
gentry; for the common people wear a thick 
coarse cloth ; or in winter, a sheep-skin, with the 
wool inwards. 

56. The Wild Child. 

In the vast forests which cover many parts of 
Poland and Germany, are found children quite 
wild as the beasts, among whom they have lived. 
These must have been dropped by their mothers 
in the frequent inroads made by barbarous na¬ 
tions. Peter the wild boy, as he was called, was 
found there in the time of George I. He was 


G8 


POLAND. 


/ 


brought over to England, and lived to be above 
SO. When found, he lived on leaves, grass, and 
berries. He could not speak, nor could they 
ever teach him above a few words. 

% 

Poor outcast orphan, thou hast never known 
A father’s shelter o’er thy houseless head ; 

No mother’s care, with fond affection’s tone, 

Soothed thy young griefs, or smoothed thy infant bed. 

Thy nurse, perchance the wild sow, savage, foul, 

’Mid grunting pigs, thyself as sordid sees; 

Or wolf bereaved of young, with hideous howl, 
Welcomed thy lips, her stiffening dugs to ease. 

That stare unmeaning tells a tale of wo; 

Thou hadst no teaching smile, thy smiles to mould. 
No fond caress bade thy caresses glow, 

Thy pliant heart’s warm feelings to unfold. 

What muttering noises clatter o’er thy tongue; 

Ne’er bid to cry mamma, by well-loved voice; 
Wooed to say pray, or taa, while fondly clung 
On her fair bosom, flushed with mutual joys. 

Not speak ! what never call to playmates dear, 

Nor hold sweet dialogue with brother boy; 

Nor lead thy sister, hush her infant fear;— 

Alas; thy only self was all thy joy. 


POLAND, 


ty 9 


True thou canst run, by beast pursuing taught, 

And climb, like squirrel o’er the tree top moss; 
Thy haggard limbs are active, thou hast caught 
Some excellence, sad excellence, by loss. 

’Tis melancholy e’en thy mirth to see, 

Irrational, disgusting, sensual, low. 

Yet let it rouse deep gratitude in me, 

What contrast mercies o’er my bosom flow. 

My infant days were watched with tender care, 
Instruction’s kindest form allured my mind : 
Thanks to my parents, teachers, each their share; 
To heaven my feelings point, by heaven refined. 


57. Inflammable Springs. 

There are many remarkable mines and springs 
in Poland. The virtues of one particular spring 
are said to assist life; many persons of 100 years 
old constantly drink them. They seem to be 
impregnated with some peculiar vapour; as a 
flame bursts forth, if a lighted torch is applied, 
and dances on the surface. 

Near Cracow, the capital city, they dig salt 
out of the earth, from the depth of several hun¬ 
dred yards. I shall give you a short description 







70 


GERMANY. 


of the manner of descending into them. When 
the person reaches the mouth of tiie mine, he is 
seated upon hammocks, fastened in a circle round 
the great rope that is used in drawing up the salt, 
and is gently let down 160 yards below the first 
layer of salt; here he is furnished with a light, 
the reflection of which on the glittering sides of 
the mine is extremely beautiful. He now pro¬ 
ceeds on foot, gradually descending through 
broad passages, and at other times down steps 
cut in the solid salt, which being almost as hard 
as stone, the miners hew it with a pick-axe into 
large blocks of 6 or 700 pounds each. They 
have hollowed out a chapel, in which they assem¬ 
ble at mass. The altar, crucifix, ornaments of 
the chapel, and statues of several saints, are all 
of the same materials. 


GERMANY, 1. 

58. Hunting the wild Boar . 

Germany consists of many States; differing in 
government, religion, and manners. The King 
of Prussia rules most of the northern provinces; 
as the Emperor of Austria governs the southern. 


GERMANY. 


71 


Ill the western part are some independent 
States. 

The people of Germany in general are re¬ 
markable for industry. Their application to what¬ 
ever art they adopt is wonderful, and their suc¬ 
cess almost certain. Watches were first invented 
by them, and were called Nuremberg eggs. Dull, 
plodding, are not terms of disgrace, when they 
mean a patient pursuit of art or science, that de¬ 
termines to catch it. 

Their dress resembles much the English, 
though in some places, rich furs and diamonds 
are used by the wealthy. The lower classes are 
little better than slaves to the rich landholders ; 
and the women, laborious servants to their hus¬ 
bands. 

The baron, the prince, the nobles of Germany, 
are much addicted to field sports; among which 
is pre-eminent hunting the wild Boar. In the 
Black Forest, and in many other vast woods, wild 
swine are common; and often very detrimental 
to the peasantry. To rout these from their hiding 
places, and to kill them, is the sport, and the 
profit of many. Westphalia hams, so much es¬ 
teemed, are thus obtained. 

* v 


GERMANY. 


*•>.) 

4 -L 


59. Timber Floats . 

One of the most remarkable things on the 
Rhine (the river which runs between France and 
Germany) is the raft of whole timbers, which 
floats down the stream, for sale in Holland. 

These rafts consist of trees, cut in such forests 
as can reach the river. In small parcels they 
pass the difficult places, and are then united; 
often to the length of a thousand feet, and 80 or 
90 wide ; and so deep, as to float seven feet above 
the water. The trees, many of them 70 feet long, 
are all well fastened to each other with iron 
spikes, and cross timbers : till the whole is one 
firm compact body, like a floating island, with a 
village covering the top; for it requires nearly 
500 labourers to manage it, while it swims down 
the river. Two rows of huts are built upon it, 
forming a street between them; with larger huts 
for the kitchen, and the Captain’s dwelling: so 
that it looks all alive. A vast quantity of provi¬ 
sion they carry with them, to feed so many men 
several weeks; till they get to Dort, which is one 
of the towns where they break up their whole 
mass, and sell it; sometimes to the value of thirty 
thousand pounds. 









































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GERMANY. 


73 


When it moves, a number of smaller rafts, 
which are fastened to it in front, go first; with 
small boats to guide it. Then every labourer 
sits in his place, on a bench, to manage the oars, 
rowing with all his might as directed by the cap¬ 
tain and other officers. Before they actually 
move, when all the men are at their several 
places, the pilot takes off his hat, and calls out, 
“ let us pray.” In an instant the whole party are 
on their knees, asking the blessing of God on 
their voyage. 

They have many anchors, with which they 
fasten the whole raft to the shore, when they 
want to stop. 


60 . Fall of the Rhine . 

Queen of Germanic floods, whose silver stream 
From Grison Alps rises in double fount: 

Where baby Switzers, fording barefoot, seem 
Of thy young honours to make small account. 

How bursts thy wave indignant, mightier grown, 
Where famed Schaffhausen spans thy wave with 
pride; 

From yon high ledge of rocks, impetuous thrown, 
Deep, foaming, bellowing, headlong plunging tide. 

7 


74 


GERMANY* 


The storm of passion o’er, the vale attained, 

Grown gentler unopposed, thy lovely course 
■'Mid hamlets wanders slow, as if detained 
By glens and forests, with attractive force. 

Yet urged by stores accumulated, deep, 

Commerce delighted claims thy friendly aid: 

Proud cities rise in every bending sweep ; 

Strasbourgh, and Worms, Mentz, Cologne, rich in 
trade. 

Hail, beauteous flood! like life thy course appears 5 
As infant simple, rash in youth, then grown 
Rich and mature; at last like hoary years, 

Lost, sunk, neglected, name and honours gone. 


GERMANY. 2. 

61 . Aix la Chapelle. 

Germany abounds with mineral w aters. These 
are springs, whose reservoirs are deep in the 
mountains, and becoming by that means impreg¬ 
nated with various saline and metallic substances, 
they are in fact medicines ready prepared by na¬ 
ture and of considerable power. In most places 
where invalids crowd for the purpose of drinking 
these waters, or of bathing in them, there is also 


GERMANY. 


75 


a resort of fashionable company, whose only ob¬ 
ject is to share in the amusements, which are 
provided in plenty during the proper season. 
Baden, near Vienna, is very famous; also Spa, 
and Pyrmont, and those of Aix-la-Cliapelle, all 
in Westphalia, are perhaps the most resorted to. 

Invalids in crowds repair 

Where the healing waters flow ; 

Drink the potent medicine there, 

Bathe their limbs, and lose their wo. 

Come then sick, and lame, and fearful, 

Drink; be well, and strong, and cheerful. 

62. German Peasantry. 

There are parts of Germany where industry is 
scarcely known. Luxury and idleness mark the 
higher ranks; while poverty, dirtiness, and in¬ 
civility give a disgusting character to the lower 
orders. 

Whose hut is that ? how miserable it looks! 
the boards are fastened together with pack¬ 
thread instead of nails; the roof is broken in, 
and there are great holes in the wall. I am 
sure idleness dwells here: for however poor the 
inhabitants, they should have some regard for 
cleanliness. 


76 


DENMARK. 


63 . Berlin . 

Berlin is the capital of the Prussian dominions, 
where the King resides. It has been suddenly, 
and lately, raised to considerable beauty; all 
that is new being built on a regular plan. There 
are many grand palaces in it, handsome squares, 
and churches ; but the outside often seems better 
in appearance, than the inside feels in accommo¬ 
dation and furniture. 

Frederick III. who was a great w arrior, and 
who of course successfully robbed all his neigh¬ 
bours, raised Prussia to its present elevation, 
greatly by his military discipline. When told of 
the balloons, then newdy invented in France, he 
replied, 

The French in balloons as their own claim the air; 

The English will domineer over the sea; 

The land Russia has, nor a morsel can spare; 

Then fire! there is nothing but fire left for me. 


DENMARK. 

64 . Copenhagen . 

Denmark is only a small tongue of land pro 





DENMARK. 


77 


jecting from the north of Germany into the sea. 
Yet has it been very powerful, reigning over 
Norway also, and Sweden. From thence poured 
forth great numbers, whose incessant attacks 
upon England obtained more or less dominion 
over it for 200 years, especially in the time of 
Alfred, and under Canute. Of late years, the 
despotism of the Court has produced much mi¬ 
sery among the people. 

The dominions of the King of Denmark dip a 
little into Germany; but the seat of government 
is at Copenhagen; a beautiful city, built with 
regularity and some splendour. It has during 
the last war been brought into notice, by the 
attacks made on it twice by the English; who 
brought away all their shipping, to prevent their 
joining the French. 

Denmark itself presents but few curiosities. 
Unless we mention the village of Anglen, near 
Sleswick; from whence came the Angles, or 
Saxons so called, who by settling in Britain, gave 
names to several kingdoms, which at last issued 
in England, or Angle-land. 


73 


DENMARK. 


f 


65. Danish Watchman. 






It is a custom worth our notice, that the Da¬ 
nish watchman, as he goes his rounds at bed¬ 
time, stops occasionally, and puts up a prayer 
to God, to preserve the city from fire. He also 
warns the inhabitants to be careful of their can¬ 
dles. This is quite right, to join prayer to God, 
with our own carefulness; and our own careful¬ 
ness with prayer to God. 

Father, whose all-seeing eye 
Pierces darkness as the day; 

■Safe within thy care I lie, 

Hear me, when I humbly pray. 

Thee I own, thy guardian power 

Keeps when sleep my sense enchains 5 

Guards from harm in midnight hour5 
Murderous hands, or feverish veins. 

I 

Guards from smould’ring blazing fire, 

How beyond my utmost care; 

Though I see each spark expire ? 

Still I trust to thee by prayer. 




























































































170 




71 




























































































































































































DENMARK. 


79 


66 . The blind Workman. 

It is a great mercy to have all our senses pre¬ 
served, especially our eyesight: those who see 
are apt to forget its value. However, when 
persons have been deprived of sight, a vigorous 
mind will act; and sometimes in a way which 
quite surprises us. 

There is in the Royal Museum in Copenhagen 
a cabinet, curiously constructed of ivory and 
ebony, by a man who was entirely blind. Let 
no one who has the use of his eyes say, “ I can’t 
do it;” when such admirable things have been 
done by persons labouring under blindness. 

Many instances have been known, of blind 
persons, who have excelled in various arts; in 
music frequently: the blind fiddler is often seen. 
Mr. Stanley, a famous organist, was blind. Mr. 
Sanderson, who read lectures in astronomy and 
mathematics at Cambridge, lost his sight when 
about three years old, yet was one of the best 
lecturers of his time. Our great poet Milton is 
another instance; though he did not lose his 
sight till late in life. 

There are persons who undertake to teach the 
blind even to write; and in many things to gain 


80 


HOLLAND. 


a livelihood : a noble charity, assisting, and sup¬ 
porting, a helpless and pitiable sort of people. 

t ~~ 

If the blind can excel me, it sure is a shame; 

But none shall e’er tell me, that thus I’m to blame, 

My eyes I will use ’em, and mind all I see; 

Nor idle abuse ’em, as useless to me. 

What work can I do now, like that poor blind man ? 
I’ve nothing to show now—but will if I can. 

I ought to be learning, so good are my eyes; 

I then may be earning my daily supplies. 

Tho’ now my good father provides for my need, 

I’m sure I should rather be useful indeed. 


HOLLAND. 

67 . The Flat Country . 

The kingdom of the Netherlands now includes 
all that used to be called Holland, and the Low 
Countries; the general face of which is extremely 
flat, without a mountain in it. The land indeed 
was once overflowed by the sea, and the rivers; 
but by great labour, in making banks or dykes, 
they keep the rivers within bounds, and prevent 
the sea from entering. They have thus a country 


HOLLAND. 


81 


for which nature has done little; all that exists is 
the work of art, and shews what may be effected 
if people will try. 

From the top of a high steeple you may see a 
vast way, one flat wide plain, studded with cities 
and villages, and cut across in every direction 
with canals, which are indeed the high roads for 
travelling. 

The lowness of the land, and the abundance 
of the water, make the atmosphere foggy and 
damp, so that every thing moulds, rusts, and 
rots, very fast: but this, as it obliges them to 
scour and clean frequently, has given to the whole 
country a great air of neatness. This is pro¬ 
ducing good out of evil. 

The genteeler people in all European coun¬ 
tries dress much alike ; it is among the peasantry 
<?no scca the Specific differences*. The Dutch 
boors shew their peculiarities in a striking man¬ 
ner. Both sexes wear an enormous quantity of 
clothing, two or three waistcoats, and coat, and 
trowsers. As they are usually rather short, this 
thickness of drapery makes them exceedingly 
clumsy. A young girl in her holiday suit, would 
appear to us rather queer: short, thick, with 
petticoats only half down the leg, no waist, a 
small round face, covered with a hat almost a 
yard across, like a canopy. We like our own 


82 


HOLLAND. 


country girls better, especially when they dress 
with neatness, and do not try to be fine. 


68 . Skaiting to Market . 

A country so full of water, and cut in every 
direction with canals, affords easy travelling in 
summer, by their boats; and in winter, by skait- 
ing. From many miles distance do the girls 
come to market, with a basket of poultry or eggs 
on their heads; skaiting with great dexterity all 
the w 7 ay. Sledges are pushed by men, or drawn 
by horses, with great ease, and at a rapid rate* 

Over the frozen hard snow, and the ice, 

At market our maiden will be in a trice. 

Pack up the poultry close and Warm, 

Hang the small basket fast on her arm, 

Put in the bag with the new-laid eggs; 

Ne’er fear, she will keep them all safe on her legs. 

It is but a dozen or twenty miles, 

Without any hedges or clambering stiles. 

Swinging her body from side to side, 

Balancing well, is her coquetry pride. 

See on one foot what a way she goes, 

Now, like a dart the other she throws. 

Trails a thin line in her path so white, 

Now I declare she has got out of sight. 


FRANCE, 


83 


69 . The Treckschutz . 

, »• i 

Passengers and goods travel by water in the 
summer season, in large covered barges, drawn 
by horses, at a steady dull pace of about three 
miles an hour. Each passenger can carry his own 
provisions. Now, shut up in the cabin full of 
people, with every one smoking a pipe, and no 
one uttering a single word in conversation, nor 
stirring from his seat, except to light his pipe 
afresh—this, for several hours together, must be 
dull enough. This is their Treckshutz. 


FRANCE. 1. 

70 . Church of Notre Dame at Paris . 

So we have got into France. How 1 should 
like to see it. Only they all speak French there, 
and I can’t speak French yet. 

Is France a fine country?—Yes, a very fine 
country. Not all one flat, like Holland and 
Flanders; but hills, and dales, and woods, and 
rivers; with many fine noblemen’s castles: and 
in the south of France, vineyards covering all the 


84 


FRANCE. 


hills; from which they make wine and brandy. 
The people are all gay, fiddling though they are 
poor, and dancing, for all their wooden shoes. 

And Paris, that is a large city, and a fine city. 
Paris is to France, the same that London is to 
England; the capital, and where the King lives, 
and all the concerns of government are carried 
on. There are many fine buildings, and grand 
palaces. The river Seine runs through it, across 
which are many bridges; but it is not half so wide 
as the Thames, nor can they show any thing like 
Waterloo bridge, nor can shipping come up from 
the sea, as they do in London. 

One of the grandest churches, is the cathedral 
of Notre Dame. 


71 . The Catacombs . 

The houses of Paris are chiefly built of stone, 
which stone is dug from a considerable deptli 
under ground, in quarries which pass beneath 
great part of the city. In digging out the stone, 
they made great hollow caverns, and as they did 
not always leave enough to prop up the roof of 
those caverns, it has sometimes given way, and 
the houses in the street above have fallen in. Of 


FltANCE. 


85 


late years, an important use has been made of 
these caverns: as the church-y?irds are but small, 
and the continual interment has increased the 
number of bones to an enormous and trouble¬ 
some amount, it was resolved to remove them all 
into these caverns; where they are deposited in 
some sort of regularity, and where there is room 
to deposit them for many ages. You may go 
some miles in different directions, among long 
passages, winding various ways, and opening 
into chambers great and small; all lined with 
bones and sculls. Sometimes piled up in fan¬ 
ciful figures, as altars, monuments, trophies; or 
placed in long horizontal lines. The bones of 
more than three millions of human beings are 
there closely piled up; not each skeleton by it¬ 
self, but a wall of long thigh bones in front, be¬ 
hind which lie the smaller ones, and rows of 
sculls upon all. 

As slow I pace this drear abode of death, 

I fancy all alive these quiet bones, 

As once in health; all gay, their vital breath 
Wasting in idle, busy, frolic, tones. 

Ah, little did they think how all would end, 

When youth and beauty at the toilet plied; 

When passion warmed the lover, or the friend; 

Or birth, or riches, heaved the breast with pride. 

8 


86 


FRANCE. 


To gain those bones, that ghastly scull to press 
On a warm bosom, once was ten years’ strife; 
Full many a kiss, and many a fond caress, 

From parent, partner, children, sweetened life. 

To gain them now who wishes, they appal; 

We turn disgusted from them bare and brown: 
The friends who loved them best, now mingled fall, 
Crossing or clattering, fixed, or mould’ring down. 

I muse on them,—nay on myself I muse; 

Thus shall I quiet rest, in Death’s embrace 
So rot the flesh,—beyond the grave my views 
Brighten w ith sacred hope, if saved by grace. 


72 . Massacre of St. Bartholomew's day. 

True religion persuades, false religion forces. 
This is fully exemplified by the atrocious mas- 
sacre of St. Bartholomew’s day, when sixty thou¬ 
sand protestants w ere put to death in different 
parts of France, the young prince of Navarre and 
the prince of Conde only being exempted from 
the general doom, on condition that they should 
change their religion. This massacre was chiefly 
conducted by the duke of Guise. The royal 
guards were ordered to be under arms at the close 
of the day. The ringing of a bell was the signal; 


PRANCE. 


87 


and the catholic citizens, who had been secretly 
prepared by their leaders for such a scene, zea¬ 
lously seconded the rage of the soldiery. The 
King himself (Charles the 9th) inciting their fury 
by firing upon the fugitives from his window, and 
frequently crying, Kill, Kill! 


FRANCIS. SB. 

73 . The Vineyards. 

It is in the centre and South of France, and in 
the autumn season, that you see what France is. 
Then all is joy, and gayety, and frolic; when the 
vine yields its luxuriance, and the vintage is ga¬ 
thered, with an hilarity which reaches to the least 
and lowest among them. 

In that warm climate, there is no need to nail 
the vines up against the sides of a house, as with 
us: they grow in the open fields, the sides of 
their hills are covered with them, planted very 
close to each other, and each vine trained up a 
strong stake, by which it is supported, and be¬ 
tween which they can easily go to dress, and 
prune them, and gather the grapes. The fruit is 
pulled into baskets, and carried home in wagons 


88 


FRANCE. 


ornamented with vine leaves; where it is made 
into the rich wines so famous in many countries; 
Claret, Burgundy, Champagne, &c. 


74 . Dancing . 

Nothing shows the national character, or 
thoughtlessness and gayety, more plainly, than 
the continual propensity to dancing, which ac¬ 
tuates all ranks. In the higher circles, Dukes 
and Dutchesses dance. In the Champs Elysees 
of Paris, on public festivals, shopkeepers of all 
sorts, workmen, miliners, and servant wenches, 
form groups of nimble dancers; many of whom 
show an exactitude and agility, which would not 
disgrace the opera. And in all the towns and 
villages, on every occasion, their good spirits, in 
spite of poverty, and in total forgetfulness of 
misery, urge them to dance. As if the nimble 
toe drove away every care. 

Come with the fiddle and play us a tune or two, 

Lasses and lads bring your dancing shoes : 

Here on the green is the light of the moon for you, 
None but the lazy or lame can refuse. 

Jig it with tweedledum, 

Let frolic wheedle ’em, 

Making anxiety laugh as she views. 


FRANCE. 


S9 


Come, little Annette, with tresses all curling bright, 
Sporting and frisking like lambkin or kid, 

Foot it so sprightly, and dance it all down aright: 
Never for langour shall Annette be chid. 

°g lin gly> leeringly, 

Toyingly, fearingly, 

Jokingly, laughingly, just as you’re bid. 

See there is Lubin and Javotte already there, 

Hark, ’tis the fife and the jerked tambourine; 

Mother and Gran-dad are sitting all steady there, 
Smiling and nodding, enjoying the scene. 

They will delighted be, 

While all benighted we 

Dance in the moonlight that checquers the green. 

See from the village, a troop of fresh frolickers, 

Each with a garland of roses so sweet: 

Spite of rheumaticks, and megrims, and cholickers, 
We drive diseases away with our feet. 

Right hand and left again, 

Round about, set amain 5 
Health and hilarity revel complete. 

Farewell to misery, poverty, sorrowing, 

While we’ve a fiddle we gaily will dance; 

Supper we’ve none, nor can we go a borrowing 5 
Dance and forget is the fashion of France. 

Long live gay jollity, 

’Tis a good quality, 

Caper all, sing all, and laugh all, and prance. 

8 * 


90 


SPAIN. 


75. The Wolves. 

There is no enjoyment, but has some evil 
connected with it. True, all is gay in the vintage 
season; but in the winter, in the neighbourhood 
of the Alps especially, the wolves come, some¬ 
times in great numbers, prowling for prey. The 
flocks are devastated by them; the shepherds 
themselves devoured; many young children are 
carried off; and when sorely pressed by hunger, 
the wolves will even dig into the graves, and tear 
up the dead. 


SPAIN. 

76. The Bull Fight . 

We are come now to Spain, which is a warmer 
country than France ; abounding with hills, 
mountains, and fine valleys. Yet it is not half 
cultivated; as the people are very indolent, and 
very proud, and of course very poor. The 
warmth of the summer scorches the plains; they 
are then obliged to drive their flocks up into the 
mountainous parts, to obtain grass; where they 
continue till the heats are over. 


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SPAIN. 


91 


The people are very stately. The Hidalgos , 
or gentlemen, however poor, will do nothing. A 
large cloak, and a sword, mark their gentility; 
and often hide their poverty at the same time. 
When they walk their pace is very slow; but in 
the middle of the day they will not stir, and often 
take breakfast, and supper, in bed. 

The soil of Spain is in many places fruitful, 
so as to foster their indolence, by producing 
much with little trouble. Would they cultivate 
their lands well, it would nobly repay their toil: 
but a Spaniard hates toil. So he must remain 
poor, and dependant upon other nations; for 
they have no manufactures. 

The politer people are very fond of a diversion 
peculiar to Spain, their bull-fights. Young gen¬ 
tlemen love to exhibit their courage and adroit¬ 
ness, by encountering these fierce and powerful 
creatures; sometimes on foot, sometimes on 
horseback. When the combatant wishes to kill 
the bull, he flings his cloak over the creature’s 
horns ; then approaching him, with a short dag¬ 
ger stabs him on one particular part in the neck; 
when he instantly falls, and dies. 


92 


SPAIN. 


77 . Burning Heretics . 

Popery appears in Spain in its vilest form. 
The people are very ignorant, and that gives an 
opportunity to the priests to domineer over them. 
A court, called the Inquisition, is established 
there, composed of priests, whose professed ob¬ 
ject is to search for heretics, and destroy them. 
They call us Protestants heretics, and all who 
will not submit to be kept in ignorance, and be 
led blindfold by them. 

Sometimes they get a number of Jews, or 
Protestants; and sometimes they are only such 
as are rich, or against whom they have any spite. 
These, after a mock trial, they condemn for 
heresy; and then burn them alive. They dress 
the poor wretches up in caps and coats painted 
with devils and flames, and make them walk two 
and two to the place of execution. This they 
call an auto de fe , or an act of faith. But 
surely it is the devil sets them on to do this: 
Jesus Christ came to save men’s lives, not to de¬ 
stroy them. They who would persecute for re¬ 
ligion, have no warrant from Christ to do so. 


SPAIN. 


93 


78 . Columbus going out . 

There was a time when the countries we call 
America were not known to the nations of Eu¬ 
rope. 

Christopher Columbus was determined to find 
out whether there were any lands on the farther 
side of the Atlantic ocean ; and having obtained 
a ship from the Queen of Spain, he set sail for 
his adventurous voyage ; steering straight across 
an unknown sea, with a courage, perseverance, 
and skill, which may well make his name famous. 
At last he found some of the West Indian isles; 
and by degrees, the whole of North and South 
America was found out. Thus a new world was 
added to us, by his sagacity, skill, and deter¬ 
minate bravery. When he set out from Spain, 
his scheme was ridiculed by all as a mad project; 

now any common sailor can make the voyage. 

> * 

Hail to thee, mighty mind, Columbus, hail! 

Thy self-taught genius spreads the daring sail; 

Track’d thy adventurous way o’er seas unknown $ 
Startled old Ocean on his distant throne 5 
Found other climes, and lands, and people strange 5 
And gave from Europe knowledge in exchange. 

In vain wept Alexander to obtain 
Another world,—thy better skill could gain. 


94 


PORTUGAL. 


By tears and blood he won his hateful fame, 
Thy gains were peaceful, and beloved thy name. 
Yet superstition saw, and lust of power, 

And avarice ruined all, in evil hour. 


PORTUGAL. 

79 . Illuminated Images and Saints . 

Portugal is like a slice cut out of Spain, yet 
is by no means so fine a country. It is under 
the dominion of popery and the Inquisition, in 
much the same manner. It abounds with Jews, 
who profess to be papists; and thus serve idols 
in a foreign land, as God threatened them by 
Moses. Great penury is felt by the peasantry, 
and the genteeler classes are as proud as the 
Spaniards. 

The connexion of England with Portugal is 
close, as it could not maintain itself against Spain 
without our assistance. It is a great wine coun¬ 
try ; all the genuine red port comes from thence. 
Oporto, a seaport in Portugal, is famous for red 
port. 

Lisbon is the capital city ; the seat of govern- 


PORTUGAL. 


95 


ment; where the the grandees chiefly live, and 
principal merchants. A city remarkable for dirt, 
and the filth left about the streets. In wet wea¬ 
ther you will be drenched by the water-spouts, 
from the house-tops, or sink into the heaps of 
dung, which lie in the way. At night, walking 
must be hazardous; as the city is not lighted as 
London is: but to compensate this, there is at 
almost every corner some image of a Saint set 
up, and before this a light is kept burning all 
night. This affords some light to passengers: 
but the real intention of it is, that the super¬ 
stitious people may kneel down, and pray to the 
Saint, whom they suppose to have great interest 
in Heaven. 


80 . Threshing Corn by Oxen . 

The common people of Portugal are a hardy 
race; simple, and obliging; but far behind in 
the arts and enjoyments of life. Their cars are 
very clumsy things, drawn by two oxen; and 
their corn is trodden out of the straw, by driving 
oxen repeatedly over it. The women ride on 
horseback with their left hand towards the 
horse’s head. 


96 


PORTUGAL. 


81 . Earthquake at Lisbon. 

Lisbon, the grand city of Portugal, lias been 
frequently visited by earthquakes. The last 
and most terrible one, was on Nov. 1, 1755, 
when 70,000 of the inhabitants were destroyed 
by it. 

What ail the birds ? they flutter in affright; 

The lowing oxen flee, they know not where; 

The heat is suffocating; dense, though bright, 

The lurid atmosphere, unsightly fair: 

No cooling breezes fan the loaded stagnant air. 

Hark ! what’s that rumbling noise, so loud, so deep ? 

No thunders roll, no clouds obscure the sky: 

Again it bellows, with an awful sweep 

Beneath the ground it groans, slow comes it nigh, 
And nigher now it howls, convulsive nature’s sigh. 

How the house trembles, heaves, and sinks again, 

With dread vibration opening every door; 

Th’ alarmed inhabitants flock out amain, 

To squares, and fields, the hurrying inmates pour. 
Ah, what a crash was there ! walls, steeples, totter o’er. 

That frightful chasm six peopled streets divide, 
Ingulph’d the rent crushed habitations lie ; 

Here a sulphuric pool its swelling tide 
Pours bubbling, fetid, horrid to the eye; 

Drowns what escaped the crash, bidding its thousands 
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ENGLAND. 


97 


See frantic mothers fixed, refuse to go: 

There husbands vainly strive some wreck to save: 
In midnight darkness flee, and meet their wo; 

Ruin involves the fair, the rich, the brave. 

Another rolling crash, half Lisbon finds a grave. 


SKGLAN3). 

i 

RETURNING. 

82 . Landes End . 

Huzza! my boys. Old England for ever. 
There it is. There’s the Land’s End, and that is 
the land’s beginning to us. 

Hail to thee, land beloved ! no land so dear; 

Thy naked rocks charming to me appear. 

Behind their craggy tops broad valleys lie, 

Glowing with golden harvests; or the eye 
Delighted wanders o’er thy hillocks green, 

Where cots, and flocks, to dot the view are seen; 
Rough are thy rocks, but steadfast like thy men; 
Undaunted, constant, firm, the same again. 

The fierce Atlantic vainly dashes here, 

In scorn rebutted by these ramparts drear; 

The idle spray adorns thy dripping sides, 

As Ocean backward rolls his foiled tides. 

9 



98 


ENGLAND. 


83 . Seeing London again. 

Look there, Coachee, is not that London?— 
and there’s St. Paul’s, I declare. 

Come up, my jolly nags, gallop away; 

We soon shall arrive, 

All safe and alive, 

I at my dinner, and you at your hay. 


See what a heaviness, smother, and smoke, 
Hang o’er the city; 

Sure ’tis a pity, 

The good people there must be ready to choak. 


How monstrously long from beginning to end! 
What churches and steeples, 

And chimneys, and peoples: 

One would think all the nation their houses must 
send. 


I long to get into’t, such wonders to see, 

The bridge Waterloo, 

And the Monument too, 

And famous St. Paul’s, a fine pennyworth to me. 



ENGLAND. 


84 . The Father's Fireside . 

So father, mother, sister, see, 

Your owa lost Harry, here I be. 

O’er many a sea, and many a land, 

I’ve travelled, sailed, and here I stand. 
Yet never was in distan||clime 
So far, as to forget the time 
When last we parted; nor this hour 
Of happy meeting. Let the power 
Of love repressed, now bursting, find 
By eye, and hand, and mouth, and mind, 
’Tis your own Harry come at last 
To hold his home and inmates fast. 

My tour, my travels—yes, I’ll tell 
From first to last. It ends so well, 

I think if ’twere a book ’twould sell. 


THE END. 




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